39-41 West 23rd Street (Ladies' Mile Historic District) – application to construct a new building which would cantilever over 35-37 West 23rd Street (the adjacent building).

39-41 West 23rd Street – application to request landmarks preservation commission to issue a report to the City Planning Commission related to an application for modification of use pursuant to section 74-711 of the zoning resolution

WHEREAS, The proposal is to build a new 22-story, 278-foot high, mid-block building between 5th and 6th Avenues at 39-41 West 23rd Street, using 24,000 square feet of development rights from the adjacent building over which it would cantilever; and

WHEREAS, The new building which would be slanted on three sides with its entrance set back 10 feet, breaking the street wall, would be inappropriate to the historic district; and

WHEREAS, The proposed preservation plan under the 74-711 application would involve installing new ground floor infill and aluminum windows in the adjacent building at 35-37 West 23rd Street, and is not commensurate with the movement of 24,000 square feet of development rights used to cantilever; and

WHEREAS, The new building, under the 74-711 application would go from manufacturing to residential use; and

WHEREAS, Although it is the same height as the 6th Avenue corner Masonic building, it would have a greater negative impact on the streetscape for it would be a mid-block building, going through to 24th Street and still in the Historic District, and

WHEREAS, The new building, although unique, would be made of glass and laminated material, have a swimming pool visible on the 7th floor, and would be extremely modern and unharmonious with the Ladies' Mile Historic District, hence despoiling the special historic and aesthetic character of the district; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Community Board Five recommends denial of this application because of its extreme modern architecture and its incompatible character with one of New York's most renowned historic districts.

The above resolution passed with a vote of 11 in favor, 8 opposed, 1 abstention.